CARTS GOING OUT TO HOMES IN CURBSIDE RECYCLING THIRD PHASE

(Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009) – The City’s Department of Environmental Service will be delivering recycling carts to 22,400 homes in the third phase of its island-wide curbside recycling program starting today.  Only homes currently on automated refuse collection will be receiving carts.

Green and blue carts will be delivered to homes in Honolulu from Foster Village to Makiki, while residents on the Windward Coast from Kahuku to Kahaluu will be issued only green carts since they already have blue carts.  The delivery process takes between eight to nine weeks and will have these communities ready by the week of the November 2 start date.

Windward communities that currently use blue carts for green waste collection are advised to put those blue carts out for green waste pickup before the end of October to get them serviced.  This will facilitate the transition into the new system when blue carts will be exclusively used for mixed recyclables.  These households can also start using their green carts for green waste as soon as the blues have been emptied.  Honolulu communities, which currently have bag collection for green waste, cannot start using the green cart until the new 3-cart collection system begins the week of November 2. 

Instructional brochures will be attached to the outside of the recycling carts at delivery.  Residents are encouraged to thoroughly read over the informational materials before calling the Refuse Division.  For additional information, go to www.opala.org or call 768-3200.

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Contact:

Suzanne Jones, Recycling Coordinator, 768-3420

Markus Owens, ENV Public Communications Officer, 768-3454